Social life: (a) Varna system: There were four vamas- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The class (Varna) system was based on profession, instead of birth.
(b) Family: It was the basic unit of society. Joint family system was dominant in the society. The eldest male person of the family (grihapati) was considered the head of the family. In Vedic society,women were perceived with extreme honour. Marriage was a religious ceremony and not an agreement.
(c) Ashram and Sanskara system: To maintain the social system, ashram system was in practice in the society – Brahmacharya Ashram, Grihastha Ashram, Vanaprastha Ashram and Sanyasa Ashram. There was a provision of 16 Sanskaras at that time to arouse good qualities in an ideal man life, in which, the main Sanskaras were – Pumsvan Sanskara, Annaprashna Sanskara, Vivaha Sanskara, etc.
Food, Dress and Entertainment : The people used to have basically milk, curd, wheat, rice, urad, barley in their food. They wore silk, cotton and woollen clothes. Both men and women used to wear ornaments, in which bangles, necklace, ear rings, etc. were main. Among the prime sources of recreation were chariot race, wrestling bout, horse race, hunting, magic and dance.
Economic Life : The people for their livelihood used to do animal husbandry, farming, cottage industries, trade and commerce. Ploughs and oxen were used in farming. The main pet animals were cows, elephants, horses, buffaloes, deer, sheep, goats, etc. Cow was considered to be a pious animal. The people followed the profession of wood, metal, cloth, and leather. Barter system was in practice. The people had their trade with other countries through waterways and land routes. The cloth industry was veiy developed.
Political Organization: Family was considered the base of political life. The collective names of many families was village and of many villages was people (Jan) respectively. The leaders of Jan were known as Rakshak or Rajan. The Rajan was elected by the people which used to be supreme power of the administration. Committee, council and cabinet were there to assist him.
Religious life: The people worshipped nature. They also worshipped Indra, Sun, Fire, Air and Varun. They pleased the gods with prayers devotion and yagnas.
